Griffon is the quintessential dive coaster- really good from either first or second row because you kinda hang there staring down at the drop to come ...
Griffon is the quintessential dive coaster- really good from either first or second row because you kinda hang there staring down at the drop to come before being released. Both the first drop/turn sequence and the slightly smaller second drop are great, I don't think the second drop is pointless or disappointing in comparison to the first. It is not quite long enough and has essentially has only one note throughout, but it does a great job with what its good at (dive). Surprisingly I ended up being more and more satisfied with Griffon as time in the park progressed because it allows the rider to pick and choose exactly which type of thrill/element/coaster they feel like experiencing at the time.
I really really enjoyed Pantheon. It is not the longest, but it is so densely packed with fast/thrilling moments that the length is not a problem. I w...
I really really enjoyed Pantheon. It is not the longest, but it is so densely packed with fast/thrilling moments that the length is not a problem. I was literally tossed by Pantheon into the air out of my seat on the launcher going back down the hill. Starts off by speedily putting you upside down and then gives you an initial launch, giving a preview of what is to come. You then merge onto the main launcher section, which gets better and better with each launch- first launch shows the rapid acceleration it's capable of producing and sets up the fall back down the hill, which is so great and fresh, Launcher launches you backward this time and it is fast in a really surprising way, quickly going backwards and up a high vertical which is awesome by itself. But without hesitation. you hurtle down towards the launcher for the 3rd and final boost which this time you are ready for- however the steep steep hill/drop catches me off guard for the first 4 rides or so when marathoning it. The rest of the ride is equally interesting, you go upside down with lots of speed. No dead sections and no discomfort although pushing the limits of comfort definitely.
Very chill but big coaster in the realm of Intimidator/Thunder Striker from Carowinds. Twas the first ride I rode at Busch Gardens and it was a great ...
Very chill but big coaster in the realm of Intimidator/Thunder Striker from Carowinds. Twas the first ride I rode at Busch Gardens and it was a great one to start with. Definitely worth the ride and I was impressed with the speed and length, however after riding other coasters at BGW, I re-rode Apollo's Chariot and although the initial camelback humps into the big turn with the sky view really slayed, the rest of the coaster felt much smaller in comparison; other roller coasters of this size have a more sustained thrilling experience rather than this which starts off great but drops off pretty quick. However, I got to marathon it from multiple seats in the coaster at around 3:30 at peak sun/no wind vs in the evening with wind- I swear I got airtime on the turn after the first hills in the afternoon (from both front and back of coaster), but when I rode it later it felt like a transition in between parts with negligible air time.
Afterburn is one of the first roller coasters I ever rode. I recently rode it again, and I enjoyed it just like I did the first time. Nothing too fanc...
Afterburn is one of the first roller coasters I ever rode. I recently rode it again, and I enjoyed it just like I did the first time. Nothing too fancy, just a very solid inverted coaster that has elements of the track that complement the inverted character of the ride. I recommend Afterburn to people looking to do their first larger coaster, and I feel that it balances out the other coasters at Carowinds.
Intimidator (now Thunder Striker) is a favorite of mine. It does not feel agressive at all - the intensity comes from the height/speed (so if you like...
Intimidator (now Thunder Striker) is a favorite of mine. It does not feel agressive at all - the intensity comes from the height/speed (so if you like to be really thrown around and disoriented it may not be your favorite hypercoaster out there). Awesome in terms of floaters, main strength is the floating/airtime aspect. Supremely comfortable experience, I always find myself just smiling at the end.
